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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think schools could do dental checks?

192 replies

cheminotte · 02/11/2017 14:25

Just reading that poor dental health is linked to poverty and how many families struggle to find an NHS dentist.
Also read an article earlier this year about a boy in America who died of teeth decay as the infection spread. And recently heard that tooth decay is linked to heart disease.
Could schools do a dental check in reception like they do an eyesight and hearing test?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 03/11/2017 07:42

Dancing did you not read above where one of the dentists who took part in those checks in 'the old days' says how ineffective they were?

whoareyoukidding · 03/11/2017 07:45

I remember in the 60s we had the school dentist, the hearing man, the nits nurse, the sight woman and the nails lady. I wonder what the nails lady was looking for?

Those days are gone forever, I think.

LaughingLlama · 03/11/2017 07:50

Im another 70s child who grew up with school healthcare. Dental checks in a big grey scary caravan, eye tests, height and weight checks, hearing test, the nit nurse etc.
I had my oen dentist but the school dentist was terrifying but gave us all free pink sweets to eat after brushing that showed up where you missed brushing. Everyone went to these checks even kids whose parents were dentists.
I think lack of these services today just show how as a country we are worse off. But back then people didnt call ambulances for minor ailments or for a free lift to hospital in such an entitled manner.

Crumbs1 · 03/11/2017 07:52

Yes growing up we had dental checks, nit nurse, medicals, sight tests, hearing tests. It was part of the community health care service and took place in all state schools.

My own children had dental checks as part of a research programme, a chat with school nurse and height/weight offered in reception.
Sadly public sector can no longer afford to run these services.

notangelinajolie · 03/11/2017 07:52

Yes, I remember the school dentist - and the nit nurse Shock Don't think either should be a school thing though.

KennDodd · 03/11/2017 08:01

Sadly public sector can no longer afford to run these services.

Well that is a choice that government has made and the public voted for the government knowing public services would suffer.

BarbarianMum · 03/11/2017 08:05

Its not sad that the public sector doesn't spend its money on ineffective schemes. Dental checks in school are a poor way of getting parents to feed their kids appropriately, or look after their teeth. They can pick up problems but don't treat them then and there. If the parents don't then bother to the dentist when asked, just what is the point?

BarbarianMum · 03/11/2017 08:06

...bother to follow up with the dentist...

BWatchWatcher · 03/11/2017 08:11

Frankly for a lot of kids with eye issues you probably don't know they have the problem until they're in school. Simply because they need to see the board etc.
I'm delighted there is a world where responsible parents bring their shiny little moppets to specsavers and the like every year like clockwork.
I however needed the school check to tell me my 7 year old might be short sighted. He wasn't showing any signs of difficulty at home.

BWatchWatcher · 03/11/2017 08:12

Though my children visit the dentist every 6 months and have since they grew a tooth :)

frogsoup · 03/11/2017 08:16

We've just tried to get an eye test for dd2, as her brother had a lazy eye (picked up by reception test on now cancelled program). No optician round our way will check a preschooler - we've had to get a hospital referral. Do the posters crying 'bad parents' have the first clue about the practicalities involved here? Ahhh, that would be a no.

And if you are nasty enough to tell a poster they are a neglectful, shit parent for something like this, i think you should take a hard look at yourself first of all. But then, that's tories for you I guess.

BWatchWatcher · 03/11/2017 08:42

Yes! I agree.
When my DS's short sightedness was picked up we were referred to a specialist unit. Specsavers wouldn't have worked.

hellokittymania · 03/11/2017 08:53

Sorry, I haven't read the whole thread, but do they do dental checks at special needs schools? Just wondering as I know from personal experience how hard dental care can be.

MrsJayy · 03/11/2017 08:59

I think a couple of posters said their children got checked at their schools hellokittymania

hellokittymania · 03/11/2017 09:08

OK, thank you.

Letseatgrandma · 03/11/2017 09:43

Dancing did you not read above where one of the dentists who took part in those checks in 'the old days' says how ineffective they were?

I think the frothing posters are choosing to ignore the dentist who outlined the many problems in the scheme!

caughtintherain · 03/11/2017 10:04

I however needed the school check to tell me my 7 year old might be short sighted. He wasn't showing any signs of difficulty at home.

But why? I dont understand. Why weren't you taking your child to the optician's for regular checkups to make sure there wasn't a problem, like you would take a child for regular dental checkups? Why did you let them get to seven years old without ever taking them? Did it just not occur to you? That's so irresponsible.

Original poster
cheminotte · 03/11/2017 10:12

Did you not read my and others comments that high street opticians are not set up for small children. Yes it may be free but if it's not accessible that doesn't help much.

OP posts:
Oldraver · 03/11/2017 10:16

I would hate this. Schools are for learning, yes do a bit about the need for personal health but I cant abide schools getting involved in medical matters

Greyponcho · 03/11/2017 10:26

From a quantity of scale/efficiency point of view, having a dentist in a school checking the teeth of 30 children missing 10 minutes of class each, rather than 30 children missing 2/3 hours of class each to traipse to the dentist and back - this could be useful.
But there could also be a whole raft of other problems.
Could be more useful for secondary schools where attendance is more critical than primary.

RitaMills · 03/11/2017 10:46

BakedBeans47 I’m in west of Scotland (explains everything, right? Wink) and all the schools in my area have it every 6 months.

Letseatgrandma · 03/11/2017 11:28

I however needed the school check to tell me my 7 year old might be short sighted. He wasn't showing any signs of difficulty at home.

I actually think that is fairly shoddy to have left it until your child was 7 to take them to an optician! I took mine (to our big standard local optician) from the age of about 3.5/4.

ElseaLove · 03/11/2017 11:35

My daughters first visit to Specsavers was when she was 5 and a half letseatgrandma! I went after she started complaining of headaches and the GP suggested it. I was always told by the optician (my own as I need to go every 6 months) that unless your child can really grasp the test and what it entails only then should they get one. My DD at 3 or 4 was not ready!
Schools here in my area (NE England) do basic eye checks at school.

Original poster
cheminotte · 03/11/2017 11:39

I agree it's got to be more efficient to see 30 kids in 10 min slots. However I've never taken my dc out of school for a check up, I always get an appointment at 3.45 /4pm or in school holidays.

OP posts:
frogsoup · 03/11/2017 11:49

MOST HIGH STREET OPTICIANS WILL NOT DO CHECKS ON PRESCHOOLERS.

Sorry to shout, but there are some very hard of thinking people about today.